Expandable folder with gripping members

ABSTRACT

An expandable folder is disclosed including a front panel member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one first gripping member; a rear panel member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one second gripping member; an attachment member connecting a portion of the front panel member to the rear panel member so as to form a containment area; and wherein the first gripping member and the second gripping member are aligned in parallel planes to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/375,624, filed on Apr. 26, 2002, entitled EXPANDABLE FOLDER WITH GRIPPING MEMBERS.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally relates to office supplies. More specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable folder having a plurality of gripping members for reducing manipulation efforts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Expandable folders are a necessary tool in the modern office or business and are also commonly used in homes and schools. These folders are typically constructed of rectangular front & rear panel members having accordion-like folds along the sides, commonly called gussets, which allow the folder to expand from front to back in order to accommodate varying contents. The folders are shipped and stored in their compact state so as to reduce distribution costs. As the expandable folders are used, they gradually expand as they are filled with documents, papers, or other items.

[0004] These expandable folders are normally filled with documents until the gussets are completely extended and no additional documents can be placed in the folder. However, filling an expandable folder in this manner often leads to premature failure of the folder due to tearing at certain critical locations. Moreover, as the folders are filled and increase in size, they become extremely cumbersome to manipulate. This often results in slippage of the folder by the user, with the folders' contents spilling or necessitating repetition by the user to grasp the folder.

[0005] Fully expanded folders are typically difficult to manipulate in several ways. When resting on the ground or other substrate, expanded folders are extremely difficult to grasp and manipulate to bring them into use from their resting position. Furthermore, expanded folders that are filed in the typical filing system are generally difficult to extract from their filed position.

[0006] A fully expanded folder is relatively heavy, and this weight contributes to failure of the folder for the user in variety of ways. For instance, the folders are often picked up by only the front or rear panel member, which causes the panel member to completely slip away from the user. Further, when a fully expanded folder is repeatedly grasped off of a floor or tablet op, the resulting rubbing of the corners, sides and bottom of the folder on the surface that occurs due to slippage causes these areas of the folder to fray or wear away prematurely. This fraying and wearing away detracts from the neat appearance the folders should have, further weakens the folder, and can cause the loss of small items stored therein. Finally, when a full folder is dropped due to slippage, the folder will often burst or split along the seam between the gusset and front or rear panel members, scattering the folder or contents around the place of impact.

[0007] Expandable folders are also normally stored on shelves with their front and rear faces perpendicular to the length of the shelf. When these folders are retrieved, fingers are usually placed over the top edge of the gusset so that the folder can be pulled off the shelf. However, because the fully expanded folder is relatively heavy, pulling the folder in this manner often leads to separation of the gusset from the front and rear panel members. Further, the fingers usually pull the folder from the same place on the gusset over and over again. Over time, dirt and sweat will accumulate on the gusset, thereby fraying and weakening the gusset and causing the gusset to unexpectedly tear when the folder is retrieved.

[0008] In view of the above deficiencies identified in the expandable folders of the prior art, the applicant has established that a need exists for an expandable folder that solves the problems associated with aforementioned prior art. In particular, there exists a need for an expandable folder that provides superior grip, facilitates ease of use in the typical user manipulations, and which will maintain a neat, sturdy appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned needs for an expandable folder with gripping members by providing an expandable folder that incorporates improved grip, facilitates ease of use in the typical user manipulations, and which maintains a neat, sturdy appearance.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an expandable folder, comprising a front panel member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one first gripping member; a rear panel member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one second gripping member; an attachment member connecting a portion of the front panel member to the rear panel member so as to form a containment area; and wherein the first gripping member and the second gripping member are aligned in parallel planes to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as expandable folder 10. Expandable folder 10 includes a front panel member 12 having an outer surface 14, an inner surface 16, and at least one first gripping member 18. Expandable folder 10 further includes a rear panel member 20 having an outer surface 22, an inner surface 24, and at least one second gripping member 26.

[0015] Although it is preferred that front panel member 12 and rear panel member 20 are constructed of a paper material, suitable plastics or other polymer materials may be used.

[0016] Front panel member 12 and rear panel member 20 are secured to one another by an attachment member 30 connecting a portion of front panel member 12 to rear panel member 20 so as to form a containment area. Attachment member 30 is preferably formed from material that is present in excess and folded, so as to impart the ability to expand in expandable folder 10.

[0017] Gripping members 18 and 26 are positioned on outer surfaces 14 and 22, respectively, at a distance below the upper edges of outer surfaces 14 and 22. Such positioning permits the average user to position their fingers and thumbs so as to come into contact with gripping members 18 and 26. By contacting gripping members 18 and 26, sufficient grip is provided such that the weight of the contents contained within expandable folder 10 do not cause expandable folder 10 to slip from the hand of the user when it is picked up.

[0018] Gripping members 18 and 26 can be constructed of any materials that have a sufficient coefficient of friction. Such materials include, but are not limited to, polymers, such as rubbers and plastics, adhesives, gritty inks or other compounds, and the like.

[0019] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a further gripping member 32 is illustrated. Gripping member 32 permits the user to more easily remove expandable folder 10 from a storage area, such as a shelf, and can be formed from any of the materials used to construct gripping members 18 and 26.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown incorporating cut-away gripping handle members 18 a and 32 a. Cut-away gripping handle member 18 a, located on front panel 12, is a cut out portion of front panel 12. Although not shown in FIG. 3, it is contemplated that a corresponding handle is formed in rear panel 20. Cut-away gripping handle members 18 a and 32 a provide the user with the ability to grip a pre-formed handle, thereby preventing slippage of expandable folder 10 from the grasp of the user. It is further contemplated that the cut-away gripping handle members be reinforced to prevent tearing.

[0021] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in the Figures above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An expandable folder, comprising: a front panel member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one first gripping member; a rear panel member having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one second gripping member; an attachment member connecting a portion of said front panel member to said rear panel member so as to form a containment area; and wherein said first gripping member and said second gripping member are aligned in parallel planes to one another.
 2. The expandable folder according to claim 1 wherein said first gripping member is a handle formed in said front panel member.
 3. The expandable folder according to claim 1 wherein said first gripping member is a gripping surface formed on said front panel.
 4. The expandable folder according to claim 1 wherein said first gripping member is a gripping surface placed on said front panel.
 5. The expandable folder according to claim 1 wherein said second gripping member is a handle formed in said rear panel member.
 6. The expandable folder according to claim 1 wherein said second gripping member is a gripping surface formed on said rear panel.
 7. The expandable folder according to claim 1 wherein said second gripping member is a gripping surface placed on said rear panel. 